Counter for voting machines



`lune 4, 1963 H, H BRIGHT 3,092,319

COUNTER FOR VOTING MACHINES INVENTOR. HUGH H. 5R/@HT BY s 777mm, /fo/@mmlnm @Mm/mm 71944, gi Arme/JEVS.

June 4, 1963 H. H. BRIGHT 3,092,319

COUNTER FOR VOTING MACHINES Filed June 28, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,Q/ i /5 /4 45 251g?? 50 40 49544/074252 gig/5g /5/6 Z3 45 52,45

A /524 4V45 O -E 5/ 4? 32 I ab 4f/#55.5 i i 44 f d INVENTOR lf *46 i HUGH HB2/GH?- BY g f W i I Wan/1071 ,fafa/WIM, dWdw/l/MJ United States Patent ice 3,092,319 Patented June 4, 1963 3,092,319 CUNTER FOR VTING MACHINES Hugh H. Bright, Tulsa, kla., .assignor to Seismograph Service Corporation, Tulsa, Okla., a corporation of Delaware Filed .lune 28, 1961, Ser. No. 120,241 7 Claims. (Cl. 23S-117) The present invention relates generally to a counter and more particularly to a small, compact, relatively inexpensive, readily detachable counter for use in' voting machines of the type disclosed and claimed in simultaneously tiled, copending United States patent application Serial No. 120,281 which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and to which reference may be made for la better understanding of the operation of the voting machine itself.

In voting machines of the type described in the latter copending application, counters are used only in positions corresponding to those selecting positions on the front panel which contain a candidate or proposition to be selected by the voter. All other counters are removed from the machine. Since the voting machine must be programmed or set up to meet the conditions required for each election, it is, of course, desirable that the counters be readily removable or detachable. Moreover, to economize upon space and weight as well as manufacturing cost, the counters should be compactly and simply constructed but, `at the same time, in view of the accuracy required of Voting machines, it is essential that these counters be accurate and reliable. The counter must also be of the type which provides a positive count since an ambiguous reading on the counting `wheels cannot be tolerated in View of the fact that such a reading could very easily 4be misinterpreted and, hence, would give rise to false election results. Since voting machines are generally purchased for use over a very long operating life and since it is desirable to operate these machines without requiring frequent .and costly maintenance and repair, the counters should be rugged and trouble free. Finally, since Yall of the counters must be set to zero at the start of any election', provision must be made for quickly and easily setting the counting wheels. A principal object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a counter satisfying all of the requirements set forth above.

A `further object of the invention is to provide a counter employing a number of identical components so that these ycomponents may be mass produced to minimize the overall cost of the counter.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved removable counter for use in voting machines.

The invention both as to its organization and manner of operation will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View illustrating `a counter characterized by the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the counter shown' in FIG. 1 with certain pants broken away to facilitate the illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to the line 3 3 in FIG. 2

and shows particularly the counter actuating ratchet and the detent for indexing the counter;

FIG. 4 -is an enlarged sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 4 4 in FIG. 2 and shows par ticul-arly the transfer pinion for operating the tens counter when the units counter advances from its nine to its zero indication;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 5 5 in FIG. 2 and shows particularly the transfer plate for holding t-he transfer pinion in position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 6 6 in FIG. 2 land shows the pontion of the transfer pinion which is oper-ated by the units counter wheel;

FIG. 7 is an' enlarged, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 7 7 in FIG. 2 and shows particularly the mechanism for preventing the transfer pinion from turning except when the teus counter wheel is to be advanced;

FIG. 8 is Ia fragmentary, sectional View taken along a line substantially corresponding to the line 8 8 in FIG. 4 assuming, of course, that the latter shows the entire counter construction; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional View similar to FIG. 7 but shows the position of the transfer pinion and the units counter wheel during the .advance of the tens counter Wheel.

Referring now to the drawings and tirst to lFIGS. 1 and 2, 'a counter indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 is there shown in the form of a small, readily removable unit for use in voting machines of the type described in the above-identied copending application Serial No. 120,281. As is described in detail in the latter application, the voting machine contains :a counter panel, a fragmentary portion of which is indicated in phantom and identified by the numeral 11 in FIG. 2, for receiving and holding a group of counters 10. One such counter 1 is plugged into each position on the panel 11 corresponding to a candidate or proposition to be voted upon on the ballot appearing on the front panel (not shown) of the voting machine and all other counters are removed from 'the panel in order to avoid confusion and to minimize the number of counters required. Since all of the plug-in' counters are identical in construction only one will be described in this application. To permit the counter 10 to be removably attached to the panel 11, the latter is provided with rows of small, feet receiving apertures, only one pair of which, 12 and 13, are visible in FIG. 2 and, in addition, the panel is provided with a series of slots 14, only one of which is shown in FIG. 2. One slot is provided in the panel for each row of counters on the panel.

The counter unit 10 comprises a casing 15 formed by a front wall 16 having laterally depending, integrally formed, end walls 17 and 18 at its opposed ends and also having integrally formed, intermediate walls 19 and 20 disposed between the two end walls. The extreme ends of the walls 17, 18, `1.9 and 20 lie in a common plane extending parallel -to the front face of the front wall but the .two intermediate walls 19 and 20 are provided With outwardly extending feet 19a and 20a, respectively, which are adapted .to be inserted within the openings 12 and 413 in order to attach the counter 10 to the voting machine panel lil. To facilitate holding of the counter unit l@ on the panel, the end wall 17 is provided with la pair `of outwardly protruding tabs '17a and 17b, while the end wall l is provided wtih a similar set of tabs 18a and lSb (FlG. 8). The tabs 17a, 17h, 18a and lSb seat against spring fingers 11151 and 11b carried on the panel 11 at opposed sides of yeach row of counters. The end wall 17 is also provided with an opening 17C to facilitate assembly of the components of the counter unit to be described hereinafter, while the end wall 13 is provided with `a similar opening 18C horizontally aligned with the lopening 17C. The end wall is also provided with a shaft receiving yaperture 17d, the purpose of which Will become evident as the description proceeds.

The end wall 1S and the intermediate wall 20 cooperate to define therebetween a counter wheel chamber containing three counter wheels, namely, a units counter wheel 23, a tens counter wheel yand a hundreds counter wheel. It should be observed that the counter shown is a three digit unit but if a four or more digit counter `is desired, it is necessary only to add an additional counter wheel or wheels and the associated transfer means described below. The addition of counters will, of course, require enlargement of the chamber 22 but the locations of the feet `19a and 2da need not be changed although the cha1nber 22 could be enlarged by moving the intermediate wall 2@ to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1l and 2.

The end wall 17 and the intermediate wall 19 cooperate with the front wall 16 to define a chamber 26 containing the operating and indexing mechanism for the counter wheels. More specifically, the intermediate wall 19 is provided with `an aperture 19b horizontally aligned with the aperture 17d in the end Wall 17 for supporting a relatively short shaft `217 which extends between these two walls and through the aligned apertures. A ratchet wheel 2d is supported on the shaft 27 at a position adjacent the end wall `ll7. This ratchet wheel includes a ratchet 29 having at least one of its teeth 29a extending outwardly from the shaft 27 and through the slot 14 in the panel 1.1 when the counter unit is assembled on this panel. The outwardly extending tooth 29a of the ratchet extends beyond the inner face of the panel .il and 'beyond the plane in which the outer ends of the feet 19a and 20a lie so that ythis tooth is in position to be engaged by a scanning rail moving within the voting machine adjacent to the panel |1i1 in a manner which will be evident from an understanding of the voting machine described in the above-identified copending application Serial No. 120,281. As a result of the engagement of the tooth 29a by the scanning rail, the ratchet wheel 28 is turned whenever it is desired to register -a vote for the candidate or proposition whose front panel position corresponds to the position of the counter unit 10 on the panel 11. To transmit the turning of the ratchet wheel 28 to the counter wheels 23, 24, and 2S, a gear 30 formed integral with the ratchet wheel meshes with a second gear 31 carried by lan elongated shaft 32 which extends through aligned openings in the intermediate walls 19 and 2t) and has its end portion extending into the chamber 22.

For the purpose of positively indexing the shaft 32 in each of ten different angular positions, there is provided 4a detent mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 33. The latter detent mechanism comprises a detent wheel 34 having ten uniformly distributed ball lreceiving notches 34a around its periphery and a detent ball 35 biased into peripheral engagement with the detent wheel by means of a biasing spring 36. The latter spring, `as is best shown in FIG. 3, is generally E-shaped and includes a pair of curved upper and lower legs 36a and Sb and -an inwardly bent center portion 36C engaging the detent ball 35. The legs 36a and 36h embrace a milled out or reduced portion 16a of the front wall .16, the latter portion being provided with a central opening 16o laccommodating the ball 35. The teeth on the ratchet 29 and the gears 30 and 31 are so constructed and arranged that each actuation of the ratchet by the scanning rail is effective to turn the shaft 32 through an angle substantially equal to the angular displacement between adjacent notches 34a. Moreover, the detent mechanism is effective to index the shaft 32 and the ratchet wheel 28 so that in each indexed position the outwardly extending tooth 29a ofthe ratchet has its upper liat surface extending substantially horizontal so that this tooth is properly positioned for engagement by the scanning rail of the voting machine.

The end of the shaft 32 extending into the chamber 22 is knurled as indicated at `32a in FIG. 2 to permit drive fitting of this shaft into a central bore 37 formed in ya hub 33 of the units counter wheel 23. The three counter wheels 23, 24 and Z5 are identical in construction and, hence, only one `of these, namely, the wheel 23, will be described in detail. This wheel is generally cylindrical in shape and is provided along its periphery with uniformly spaced indicia in the form of numerals running consecutively from zero to nine. The numerals may be affixed to the counter wheel in any suitable manner. One of the numerals on each wheel is visible through an opening 16d defined by suitable opening defining means inthe front wall 16. Of course, a separate opening could be formed for each wheel but in the form shown `a single elongated opening is provided having ya length spanning yall three wheels and a width suicient to permit viewing of only one numeral on each wheel thus providing an accurate reading or count.

A Afirst transfer means is provided for advancing the tens counter wheel 24 one step or one tenth of a revolution when the units counter wheel 23 has `completed a revolution and is moved from the position Where its numeral 9 is aligned with the opening 16d to the position where its 0 numeral is so aligned. A second transfer means is provided for similarly advancing Ithe counter wheel 25 when the tens counter wheel 24 moves from its 9 to its 0 position. To this end, an annular recess 39 extends into each counter wheel from one side face thereof and the outer periphery of this recess is provided with a continuous set of teeth forming an internal ring gear, the purpose of which Will 'become evident as the description proceeds. A second annular recess 4l extends into the counter wheel from the olher side face while a third annular recess 42 extends axially of the counter wheel and inwardly `from the recess 41. The recess 142 has a somewhat smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the recess 41. As is best shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, tooth means in the form of a -pair of teeth 43 and 44 extend radially of the wheel and into the annular recess 41 for the purpose of transferring the count to the succeeding counter Wheel in a manner which will become evident from the ensuing description. The counter Wheel is also provided with a notch '45 aligned with the interdental space 46' between the teeth 43 and 44 and extending radially outwardly from the annular recess 42 as is best shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

The first transfer rneans referred to above lfor advancing the tens counter wheel includes a transfer pinion 4S having a first gear portion 49 meshing with the ring gear 40 of the tens counter wheel 24 as is -best shown in FiG. 4 of the drawings. The transfer pinion 4S further includes a reduced diameter portion 5d, a second gear portion 5l disposed within the annular recess 41 of the units counter wheel 23 and a third gear portion `52. disposed Within the annular recess 42 of the units counter wheel. Since the tens counter -wheel 24 must turn through one tenth of a revolution when the units counter wheel 23 is advanced from its 9 position to its 0 position, the 4ring gear on the tens counter Wheel 24 and the gears 49, 5l and 52 of the transfer pinion 4S are designed to afford the desired turning ratio. To provide this ratio, in the form of the invention illustrated, the ring gear 4d of each counter has twenty inwardly projecting teeth while the first gear portion 49 and the gear portion 51 of the transfer pinion 48 has six teeth and the gear portion 52 of the transfer pinion has three teeth. The transfer pinion '48 is held in position by means of a first transfer plate 53 best shown in FIG. 5 of the ldrawings and interposed between the units counter wheel 23 and the -tens counter wheel 24. This plate has fiatted areas 53a, 53b and 53e along one side thereof cooperating with the front wall 16 to prevent the plate from turning. The plate is further provided with an inwardly extending radial slot 54 for receiving the neck por-tion 50 of the transfer pinion 48 with the gears 49 and `51 disposed on opposite sides of the transfer plate to limit lateral movement of the transfer pinion. As is shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 of the drawings, each of the three teeth on the gear portion 52 is provided with a V- shaped outer end to provide adjacent teeth with atted areas normally disposed adjacent the peripheral portion of the recess 42 to prevent turning of the transfer pinion 48 except when the tens counter wheel 24 is adapted to be turned or advanced one step. As was indicated above, the latter advancement occurs during the entire movement of the units counter wheel 23 from its 0 position to its 9 position, 4that is, throughout nine steps or advances of the units counter wheel, the transfer pinion 43 is posi-tioned as sho-wn in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings with one of the teeth of the gear portion S1 extending to the outer extreme of the recess 41 and byyond .the periphery of the recess 42. Thus, the latter tooth is in position to be engaged by the tooth 44 when the units counter wheel is advanced. In this connection, it will be apparent that the periodic engagement of the ratchet 29 advances the units counter wheel in `steps in a counterclockw-ise direction las viewed in FIGS. 4 to 9, inclusive. When the units counter wheel 23 is advanced from its 9 position to its 0 position, the tooth 44 first engages the outwardly extending tooth of the gear portion 51 to turn the transfer pinion in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 9 and, at the same time, one of the teeth of the gear portion 52` enters the notch 45 in the units counter wheel to permit the transfer pinion to turn. The teeth 44 and 43 embrace one of the teeth of the gear portion 51 to limit the turning of the transfer pinion 48. Continued advancement of the units counter wheel to complete .the movement to the zero position results in further turning of the transfer pinion until it again reaches lthe position shown in FlG. 7 whereupon the transfer pinion has been turned through one third of a revolution. Until one of the teeth of the gear portion 51 is engaged by the tooth means 43 and v44, the transfer pinion is not free to turn because the liatted areas of the teeth of the gear portion 52 cooperates with the peripheral Wall of the recess to prevent such turning. When the transfer pinion is turned through one third of a revolution, the `gear portion 49 advances the tens counter wheel 24 by moving the ring gear 40 of this wheel through an angular movement equal to two teeth of this ring gear and, as a consequence, the tens counter wheel is advanced through one tenth o-f a revolution or, more specifically, this wheel is advanced one step to bring its next succeeding numeral into a position where it is visible through the 'opening 16d. The operation of the second transfer means acting between the tens counter Wheel 24 and the hundreds counter wheel 2S is believed to be obvious in view of the foregoing description. Thus, this transfer means includes a second transfer pinion 55 (FIG. 2) carried by a second transfer plate 56 interposed between the counter wheels 24 and 25. The transfer pinion `55 as will be obvious from the above description includes a first gear portion meshing with the ring gear of the hundreds counter wheel, a second gear portion for engagement by the teeth 43 and 44 of the tens counter wheel and -a third gear portion cooperating with the recess `42 of the tens cou-nter wheel to normally prevent the transfer pinion 55 from turning. When the tens counter wheel is advanced lfrom its 9 position to its O position, the transfer pinion 55 is turned to advance the hundreds counter wheel one step.

At :the completion of the election, that is, after the election results have been tabulated 'and authenticated so that it is no longer necessary to maintain the count on the voting machine, each counter may be removed from the voting machine by grasping the casing 15 at the top and bottom of the front wall 16 and lifting the unit from the panel 11. At this time, all of the counters may be set to zero by turning either the ratchet 29 or the units counter wheel 23 until the zero numerals on fall three counter Wheels are visible through the opening 16d. The counters may be turned either forward or backward to bring them to Zero and the turning may be accomplished either manually or by means of a motor driven disc made of soft material such as rubber engaging and driving the ratchet 29.

To facili-tate reading of all of the counters on the panel 11 and to lavoid misinterpretation of election results, the panel preferably carries a plurality of printed strips 60, one for each row of counters, indicating the different issues `appearing on the front panel of the voting machine. Thus, .the counter panel is very `similar to the front panel ballot and contains a counter beside each issue or candidate so that the election ofiicial can readily determine and record the total vote cast for that particular issue 0r candidate at the completion of Ithe election. Each strip is held between ya transparent plastic window strip indicated at 61 in FG. 2 and ya plurality of feats 15a extending outwardly from the casing 15. The teats not only hold the strip but, in addiiton, they prevent movement of the counter away from the panel 11 and, hence, avoid movement of the ratchet 29 to a position where it cannot be engaged by the `counter actuators carried on the scanning rail of the voting machine.

While a particular embodiment of :the invention has been illustrated and described, many modifications will readily occur :to those skilled Ain this art `and it is, therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall Within the true spirit and lscope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and is desi-red to be secured by Letters Patent of the United Staates is:

1. A removable counter for voting machines, comprising a casing having a front wall portion, first and second parallel, end wlalls respectively located near the 1opposed ends of said front wall and first and second intermediate wall portions extending transversely away from said front Wall land parallel to said end walls, a pair of `feet respectively extending `outwardly from the ends of said intermediate walls remote from said front wall for attachment to the voting machine, the outer ends of said feet lying in -a plane extending substantially parallel to said front wall, -a first shaft mounted upon said second end wall land lsaid `second intermediate wall and extending parallel to said yfront wall and to said plane, an operating ratchet mounted upon said first shaft and dimens-ioned to extend beyond said plane, a first gear mounted on said first shaft and meshing with a second gear, `a second shaft extend- Iing through said first and second intermediate walls yand carrying said `second gear, deten-t means carried by said casing for positively indexing said second shaft in each of ten different operating positions, a -units counter wheel, a tens counter Wheel and ya hundreds counter wheel all mounted between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall and each bearing consecutive numerals from zer-o to nine uniformly spaced along its periphery, opening defining means in `said front wall between said first end wall and said first intermediate Wall for permitting viewing of only one numeral on each counter wheel, said units counter wheel being mounted upon said second shaft, said counter wheels being identical in construction yand each being generally cylindrical and having a first recess extending inwardly from a first side face, said receSS having a continuously toothed, internal ring gear formed around its periphery, each counter wheel having a second recess with a circular periphery extending inwardly from a second fiat side face and a third recess with a circular periphery extending axially of said counter wheel and concentric with said first recess, said third recess having an outer diameter less than Ithat of said second recess, tooth means extending radially of each counter wheel into said second recess, and a radial notch formed in each counter wheel and extend-ing radially outward from said third recess, a first transfer plate non-rotatably carried by said casing and interposed between said units counter wheel and said tens counter wheel, a second transfer pla-te non-rotatably carried by said casing and interposed between said tens counter wheel and said hundreds counter wheel, each of said transfer plates having la slot extending inwardly thereof from its periphery, a first transfer pinion mounted within the slot in the first plate and having a first toothed portion continuously meshing with the ring gear of the tens counter wheel, said first transfer pinion having a second toothed portion disposed within the second recess of the units counter wheel and a third toothed portion disposed within the third recess of said units counter wheel, said third toothed portion and the third recess in said un-its counter wheel cooperating to normally prevent said first pinion from turning when said units counter wheel is advanced by said ratchet, said second toothed portion being engaged by the tooth means on said units counter wheel only when the latter is advanced from the position wherein its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means to the position where its zero numeral is visible, thereby to turn said first transfer pinion while one of the teeth `on said third toothed portion enters the radial notch of said units 'counter wheel to permit the rst pinion to turn, a second transfer pinion mounted within the slot in said second plate and having a first gear portion continuously meshing with the ring gear of the hundreds counter wheel, said second pinion having a second gear portion disposed within the second recess of the tens counter wheel and a third gear portion disposed within the third recess in the tens counter wheel, said third gear portion and the third recess of said tens counterwheel cooperating to normally prevent said second pinion from turning, said second gear portion being engaged by the tooth means on said tens `counter wheel when the latter is `advanced from the position where its nine numeral is visible Ithrough said opening defining means to the position where its zero numeral is visible, thereby to turn said second pinion in order to advance said hundreds counter wheel, the turning of said second p-inion being permitted by entry of one of the teeth on said third gear portion into the radial notch in said tens counter wheel.

2. A removable counter for voting machines, comprising a. casing having `a front wall portion, first and second parallel, end walls respectively located near the opposed ends of said front wall and first and second intermediate wall portions extending transversely away from said front wall and parallel to said end walls, a pair of feet respectively extending outwardly from the ends of said intermediate walis remote from said front wall for attachment to the voting machine, the outer ends of said feet lying in a plane extending substantially parallel to said front wall, a first shaft mounted upon said second end wall and said second intermedi-ate wall and extending parallel to said front wall and to said plane, an operating ratchet mounted upon said first shaft and dimensioned to extend beyond said plane, a first gear mounted on said firs-t shaft and meshing with a second gear, a second shaft extending through said first and second intermediate walls and carrying said second gear, detent means carried by said casing for positively indexing said second shaft in each of ten different operating positions, a units counter wheel and a tens counter wheel mounted between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall andv each hearing consecutive numerals from zero to nine uniformly spaced along its periphery, opening defining means in said front wall between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall for permitting viewing of only one numeral on each counter wheel, said units counter wheel being mounted upon said second shaft, said counter wheels being lidentical in constitution and each being generally cylindrical and having a first recess extending inwardly from a first side face, said recess having a continuously toothed, internal ring gear around its periphery, each counter wheel having a second recess with a circular periphery extending inwardly from a second fiat side face and a third recess with a circular periphery extending axially of said counter wheel and concentric with said first recess, said third recess having an outer diameter -less than that of said second recess, tooth means extending radially of each counter wheel into said second recess, and a radial notch formed in eachl counter wheel and extending radially outward from said third recess, a transfer plate non-rotatably carried by said casing and interposed between said units counter wheel and said tens counter wheel, said `transfer plate having a slot extending inwardly thereof from its periphery, a transfer pinion mounted within the slot in the plate and having a first toothed portion continuously meshing with the ring gear of the tens counter wheel, said transfer pinion having a second toothed portion disposed within the second recess of the units counter wheel and a third toothed portion disposed within the third recess of said units counter wheel, said third toothed portion `and the third recess in said units counter wheel cooperating to normally prevent said first pinion from turning when said units counter wheel is advanced by said ratchet, said second toothed portion being engaged by the tooth means on said units counter wheel only when the latter is advanced from the position wherein its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means Ito the position where its zero numeral is visible, thereby to turn said first transfer pinion while one of the teeth on said third toothed portion enters the radial notch of said units counter wheel to permit the first pinion to turn.

3. A removable counter for voting machines, comprising a casing having a front wall portion, first and second parallel, end walls respectively located near the opposed ends of said front wall and first and second intermediate wall portions extending transversely away from said front wall and parallel to said `end walls, a pair of feet respectively extending outwardly frorn ythe ends of said intermediate walls remote from said front wall for attachment to the voting machine, the outer ends of said feet lying in a plane extending substantially parallel to said front wall, a first shaft mounted upon said second end wall and said second intermediate wall and extending parallel to said front wall and to said plane, an operating ratchet mounted upon said first shaft and dimensioned to extend beyond said plane, a first gear mounted on said rst shaft and meshing with a second gear, a second shaft extending through said first and second intermediate walls and carrying said second gear, detent means carried by said casing for positively indexing said second shaft in each of ten different operating positions, a units counter wheel, a tens counter wheel and a hundreds counter wheel all mounted between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall and each bearing consecutive numerals from zero to nine uniformly spaced along its periphery, opening defining means in said front wall between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall for permitting Viewing of only one numeral on each counter wheel, said units counter wheel being mounted upon said second shaft, first transfer means acting between the units counter wheel and the tens counter wheel for turning the latter through one tenth of a revolution only when the units counter wheel is advanced from the position wherein its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means to the position where its Zero numeral is visible,

and second transfer means acting between the tens counter wheel and the hundreds counter Wheel for turning the latter one tenth of a revolution when the tens counter wheel is advanced from the position Where its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means to the position where its Zero numeral is visible.

4. A removable counter for voting machines, comprising a casing having a front wall portion, first and= second parallel, end walls respectively located near the opposed ends of said front wall and first and second intermediate wall portions extending transversely away from said front wall and parallel to said end walls, a pair of feet respectively extending outwardly from the ends of said intermediate Walls remote from said front wall for attachment to the voting machine, the outer ends of said feet lying in a plane extending substantially parallel to said front Wall, a first shaft mounted upon said second end wall and said second intermediate wall and extending parallel to said front wall and to said plane, an operating ratchet mounted upon said first shaft and dimensioned to extend beyond said plane, a first gear mounted on said first shaft and meshing with a second gear, a second shaft extending through said first and second intermediate walls and carrying said second gear, detent means carried by said casing for positively indexing said second shaft in each of ten different operating position, a units counter wheel and a tens counter wheel mounted between said first end wall and said rst intermediate wall and each bearing consecutive numerals from zero to nine uniformly spaced along its periphery, opening defining means in said front Wall between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall for permitting viewing of only one numeral on each counter wheel, said units counter wheel being mounted upon said second shaft, and transfer means acting between said units counter Wheel and said tens counter Wheel for turning the latter one tenth of a revolution only when the units counter wheel is advanced from the position wherein its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means to the position where its zero numeral is visible.

i5. A removable counter for voting machines, comprising a casing having a front wall portion, first and second parallel, end walls respectively located near the opposed ends of said front wall and first and second intermediate wall portions extending transversely away from said front wall and parallel to said end walls, means on each of said intermediate walls at a position remote from said front wall for attaching the casing to the voting machine, a first shaft mounted upon said second end wall and said second intermediate wall and extending parallel to said front wall, an operating ratchet mounted upon said first shaft and dimensioned to extend beyond the attaching means, a iirst gear mounted on said first shaft and meshing with a second gear, a second shaft extending through said first and second intermediate walls and carrying said second gear, detent means carried by said casing for positively indexing said second shaft in each of ten different operating positions, a units counter wheel and a tens counter wheel mounted between said rst end Wall and said first intermediate wall and each bearing consecutive numerals from zero to nine uniformly spaced along its periphery, opening defining means in said front wall between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall for permitting viewing of only one numeral on each counter wheel, said units counter wheel being mounted upon said second shaft, and transfer means acting between said units counter wheel and said tens counter wheel for turning the latter one tenth of a revolution only when the units counter wheel is advanced from the position wherein its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means to the position Where its zero numeral is visible.

6. A removable counter for voting machines, comprising a casing having a front wall portion, a plurality of walls extending transversely away from said front wall and parallel to each other, attaching means on one pair of said walls at the ends thereof remote from said front Wall for attaching the casing to the voting machine, a first shaft mounted upon said casing and extending parallel to said front wall, an operating ratchet mounted upon said first shaft and dimensioned to extend beyond said attaching means, a first gear mounted on said first shaft and meshing with a second gear, a second shaft mounted on said casing and carrying said second gear, detent means carried by said casing for positively indexing said second shaft in each of ten different operating positions, a units counter wheel and a tens counter wheel mounted upon said casing and each bearing consecutive numerals from zero to nine uniformly spaced along its periphery, opening defining means in said front wall between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall for permitting viewing of only one numeral on each counter wheel, said units counter Wheel being mounted upon said second shaft, and transfer means acting between said counter wheels for turning said tens counter wheel through one tenth of a revolution only when the units counter wheel is advanced from the position wherein its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means to the position where its zero numeral is visible.

7. A counter of the type adapted to be removably mounted on one side of a panel on a voting machine or the like for actuation by mechanism on the other side of said panel comprising a casing having a front wall and a pair of transverse walls extending away from said front wall with their outer ends abutting said one side of said panel, positioning feet extending outwardly from the outer ends of said transverse walls and adapted to engage in recesses dened in said one side of said panel, a first shaft mounted on said transverse walls, a ratchet mounted on said first shaft provided with operating teeth, said operating teeth adapted to extend through an opening in said panel and operatively engage with said actuating mechanism on the other side of said panel, a first gear mounted on said first shaft and meshing with a second gear, a second shaft extending through said first and second intermediate walls and carrying said second gear, detent means carried by said casing for positively indexing said second shaft in each of ten different operating positions, a units counter wheel and a tens counter wheel :mounted between said lirst end wall and said first intermediate wall and each bearing consecutive numerals from Zero to nine uniformly spaced along its periphery, opening defining means in said front wall between said first end wall and said first intermediate wall for permitting viewing of only one numeral on each counter Wheel, said units counter Wheel being mounted upon said second shaft, said counter wheels being identical in construction and each being generally cylindrical and having a rst recess extending inwardly from a first side face, said recess having a continuously toothed, internal ring gear around its periphery, each counter wheel having a second recess with a circular periphery extending inwardly from a second fiat side face and a third recess with a circular periphery extending axially of said counter wheel and concentric with said first recess, said third recess having an outer diameter less than that of said second recess, tooth means extending radially of each counter wheel linto said second recess, and a radial notch formed in each counter wheel and extending radially outward from said third recess a transfer plate nonrotatably carried by said casing and interposed between said units counter wheel and said tens counter wheel, said transfer plate having a slot extending inwardly thereof from its periphery, a transfer pinion mounted within the slot in the plate and having a first .toothed portion continuously meshing with theV ring gear of the tens counter wheel, said transfer pinion having a second toothed portion disposed within the second recess of the units counter wheel and a third toothed portion disposed l 1 within the third recess of said units counter Wheel, said third toothed portion and the third recess in said units counter wheel cooperating to normally prevent said rst pinion from turning when said units counter Wheel is advanced by said ratchet, said second toothed portion being,r engaged by the tooth means on said units counter wheel only when the latter is advanced from the position wherein its nine numeral is visible through said opening defining means to the position Where its zero numeral is visible, thereby to turn said rst transfer pinion while .One of the teeth on said third toothed portion enters the radial notch of said units Counter Wheel to permit the rst pinion to turn.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 489,703 `Balzer Jan. 10, 1893 505,167 Michaud Sept. 19, 1893 1,374,762 Poole Apr. 12, 1921 1,710,229 Mac-Neil Apr. 23, 1929 2,044,049 Bradley d June 16, 1936 2,304,516 White Dec. 8, 1942 

6. A REMOVABLE COUNTER FOR VOTING MACHINES, COMPRISING A CASING HAVING A FRONT WALL PORTION, A PLURALITY OF WALLS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY AWAY FROM SAID FRONT WALL AND PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, ATTACHING MEANS ON ONE PAIR OF SAID WALLS AT THE ENDS THEREOF REMOTE FROM SAID FRONT WALL FOR ATTACHING THE CASING TO THE VOTING MACHINE, A FIRST SHAFT MOUNTED UPON SAID CASING AND EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID FRONT WALL, AN OPERATING RATCHET MOUNTED UPON SAID FIRST SHAFT AND DIMENSIONED TO EXTEND BEYOND SAID ATTACHING MEANS, A FIRST GEAR MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST SHAFT AND MESHING WITH A SECOND GEAR, A SECOND SHAFT MOUNTED ON SAID CASING AND CARRYING SAID SECOND GEAR, DETENT MEANS CARRIED BY SAID CASING FOR POSITIVELY INDEXING SAID SECOND SHAFT IN EACH OF TEN DIFFERENT OPERATING POSITIONS, A UNITS COUNTER WHEEL AND A TENS COUNTER WHEEL MOUNTED UPON SAID CASING AND EACH BEARING CONSECUTIVE NUMERALS FROM ZERO TO NINE UNIFORMLY SPACED ALONG ITS PERIPHERY, OPENING DEFINING MEANS IN SAID FRONT WALL BETWEEN SAID FIRST END WALL AND SAID FIRST INTERMEDIATE WALL FOR PERMITTING VIEWING OF ONLY ONE NUMERAL ON EACH COUNTER WHEEL, SAID UNITS COUNTER WHEEL BEING MOUNTED UPON SAID SECOND SHAFT, AND TRANSFER MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID COUNTER WHEELS FOR TURNING SAID TENS COUNTER WHEEL THROUGH ONE TENTH OF A REVOLUTION ONLY THE UNITS COUNTER WHEEL IS ADVANCED FROM THE POSITION WHEREIN ITS NINE NUMERAL IS VISIBLE THROUGH SAID OPENING DEFINING MEANS TO THE POSITION WHERE ITS ZERO NUMERAL IS VISIBLE. 